Nugg Love
Fansided

Denver Nuggets: Three second-round targets for the Nuggets in the 2018 Draft

By Kevin Oestreicher

DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 13: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-71. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 13: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-71. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils controls the ball against E.J. Crawford #2 of the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils controls the ball against E.J. Crawford #2 of the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Target #1: Trevon Duval

Duke Point Guard Trevon Duval was a player who was widely regarded as a 1st round draft pick before the 2017-2018 college basketball season started.

He was the #6 high school recruit in the 2017 class according to 247sports.com, and was expected to have a monumental impact for the Blue Devils.

However, his season didn’t go according to plan, as he didn’t play up to expectations and was removed from the starting lineup halfway through the season.

Duval averaged 10.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He is a bigger point guard who isn’t afraid to drive or get scrappy on defense. He’s also a willing passer as shown by his 5.6 assists per game, and sometimes gets compared to Rajon Rondo.

Being able to distribute the ball is key on this Denver team. Jamal Murray is a shooting point guard, and while his passing has improved, he isn’t a passing point guard. Having someone like Duval to compliment him and distribute on a team full of shooters would be a big plus.

Duval’s biggest weakness is his shot. He only shot 29% from three point range last season, and he shot 59.6% from the free throw line. His shooting form also needs improvement. From NBADraft.net:

"Shot release can be a bit slow as his jumper isn’t one fluid motion, but more of a load and fire style mechanic … Needs space to be able to get his jumper off as he doesn’t get a ton of lift when shooting, plus needing additional time … Outside shot is a major question mark – shot under 30% from the three point line at Duke"

Nuggets fans know what it’s like to have a point guard who can’t shoot. Emmanuel Mudiay filled that role for the Nuggets, and it was frustrating to see him miss shot after shot. Mudiay was a risk when the Nuggets took him at #7 overall, and he didn’t pan out.

Duval would also be a risk, but a risk worth taking, as most second round prospects need more time to develop.

In a backup role, Duval could thrive, and his passing could make the Nuggets team even more dangerous.